PTFO Minutes for Tuesday, October 9, 2007

7:00-8:00 pm   Room 108

 

Members Attending:  Lisa Brown & Kim Crabill (co-presidents), Mary Ellen Randall Treasurer, Barri Lynn Moreau(substitute secretary), Mrs. Kathleen Rossi (Principal), Mr. Steve Nolan (Assistant Principal), Phyllis Hey (Partnership Developer) David Burke, Lori Porter, Barbara Publicover, Rita Siavelis, Deb Barlock, Rhonda Berry, Susan Mitchell, Cathy Hodson, Denise Beckwith, Maureen LaSalle.

 

Welcome—

Co-presidents Lisa and Kim welcomed all to the first meeting of the year.  They gave an overview of the purpose of the Lincoln PTFO (Parents, Teachers, and Friends Organization) and described the nature of the group.

            Principal Rossi gave an explanation of the use of funds that the group raises: primarily to fund teacher “mini-grants” from $85-$300 to cover costs of many items outside the budget; for instance, guest speakers, local field trips, teaching materials.  Teachers applying for grants must demonstrate the impact of the grant on the largest number of students and the anticipated learning results tied to the district’s learning goals.  The other major funding is for the school’s annual membership fee of $750 to Ruth’s Recyclables where teachers and administrators may pick up good supplies and sometimes, classroom and office furniture at no cost. 

 

New Business

            Kim and Lisa gave an explanation of the different PTFO subcommittees and solicited chairs for each:  Bake Sales (a money-maker to provide healthy snacks for students one Friday a month, at school dances, and other school-wide activities).  Deb Barlock volunteered to be the chair of Bake Sales.

            Deb explained the bake sale process and reminded everyone that no foods can contain nuts of any kind!  The first bake sale will be on Friday, Nov.2nd from 1:30-2:30 p.m.  Food donations can be dropped off in the office on Friday morning.  Deb needs to set up 2 tables (one on the ground floor and one on the1st floor) and have 2 people willing to sell the goods at those locations.  Please volunteer to help!

 

Dance Committee:  for folks who want to decorate, sell food, or chaperone school dances.  Rita Siavelis volunteered to chair this committee.  The first dance is October 26, 2007 from 6:00-8:00 p.m.  Students must pre-register for the dance and pre-pay the $4.00 admission fee.  Only students on the list will be allowed to enter the dance.  Once the dance has begun, students may not leave until the end of the dance unless picked up by a parent or guardian.  Police patrol the outside of the building.  Parent volunteers are not expected to discipline students but rather just be “the eyes and ears”.  Pride Pass students can attend the dance for $2.00

 

Teachers’ Appreciation (most events in May) to support teachers with lunches, breakfasts, and goodies.  Still looking for a chair for this committee!

 

Calendar Sale—Calendars with coupons sold during December.  (They make great gifts!)  Need a committee to solicit coupon donations.  Students sell the calendars.  Lori Porter has volunteered to be the chair.

 

Box Tops for Education:  More fundraising:  A coupon program from local supermarket chains that sell certain products.  This little purple boxes can be cut off of boxes or the plastic wrap of some products and brought into the school’s office.  There is a collection box.  Each little 10-cent coupon adds up!  Barri Lynn Moreau volunteered to chair this effort.  Please bring in your coupons before the fall collection deadline of the school year:  October 31st. The Hannaford Helps Schools is another way to help our school fundraise…

 

Brief Closing Comments/Remarks

Question from the floor about PTFO taking over the sales of Lincoln clothing that is now done by one of the Houses.  Mrs. Rossi will check on the inventory remaining from this last year’s fundraiser.  Jennifer Balzano was the person who helped obtain the clothing for the sale.

 

Reminders of Upcoming Events:

 

Dome Ribbon Cutting Ceremony, October 18th 4:00 p.m.  Refreshments provided by the school and the PTFO

 

High School Information Night for 8th graders and their parents at Lincoln, October 23rd 6:30-8:00 p.m.  She requested that the PTFO organize refreshments and serve as a welcoming committee for the event.  Principals from PATHS, Deering, Casco Bay, and Portland high schools will give presentations, address questions, and describe their schools’ philosophies.

 

Odyssey of the Mind Workshop Day held at Lincoln, December 1st  8:00 a.m.-4:00 p.m. Mary Ellen Randall will work with Mrs. Rossi to find another school group willing to share providing refreshments to sell at this day long event.

 

Need for help with some grant writing for landscape projects and cafeteria furniture.  Phyllis Hey is working on a small grant from Lowes to help with the school’s landscape master plan.  Mrs. Rossi wants to apply for a large grant from Lowes to be able to buy 20 round cafeteria tables that would each seat 8 students.  (Estimated cost per table $1100 including shipping) Barri Lynn Moreau volunteered to assist with these efforts.

 

“Internet Safety” Presentation at Riverton for Lincoln’s feeder elementary schools, November 13th 6-8:30 p.m. by Inez Dudley, a workshop to explain the dangers and problems caused by cyberspace communities like Myspace and Photoface.  Highly recommended by Mr. Nolan!

 

Meeting adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

 

Next Meeting to be held on Tuesday, November 6, 2007 at 7:00 pm, Room 108*

PLEASE NOTICE CHANGE OF MEETING DATE FOR NOVEMBER!